Annular optical component, camera lens and image capturing unit

ABSTRACT

An annular optical component includes a plastic element and a metal element disposed on the plastic element. The plastic element includes a plastic part, and the metal element includes a metal part. The plastic part surrounds a central axis of the annular optical component so as to form a central opening. An outer annular surface and an inner annular surface of the annular optical component are opposite to each other. An object-side surface of the annular optical component faces an image-side direction of the annular optical component and is connected to the outer annular surface and the inner annular surface. An image-side surface of the annular optical component faces an image-side direction of the annular optical component and is connected to the outer annular surface and the inner annular surface. The image-side surface and the object-side surface are opposite to each other.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional patent application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/024,120, filed on Jun. 29, 2018, which claimspriority to Taiwan Application 107113500, filed on Apr. 20, 2018, whichis incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an annular optical component, a cameralens and an image capturing unit, more particularly to an annularoptical component, a camera lens and an image capturing unit which areapplicable to an electronic device.

Description of Related Art

With the development of semiconductor manufacturing technology, theperformance of image sensors has been improved, and the pixel sizethereof has been scaled down. Therefore, featuring high image qualityhas been one of the indispensable features of an optical systemnowadays.

Scattered light produced in an optical lens may seriously reduce theimage quality. In detail, when a camera captures an object, strong lightfrom an environment where the object is located will enter into theoptical lens of the camera so as to produce scattered light. Thescattered light will be absorbed by an image senor of the camera andthus cause a halo on the periphery of the image. In order to reduce thescattered light, an optical component which has a specific shape ormaterial is additionally assembled to the optical lens. However, thestructural strength of the optical component is weak, thus the opticalcomponent is easily deformed and broken during the assembly of theoptical lens.

SUMMARY

According one aspect of the present disclosure, an annular opticalcomponent includes a plastic element and a metal element disposed on theplastic element. The plastic element includes a plastic part, and themetal element includes a metal part. The plastic part includes at leastpart of an inner annular surface of the annular optical component, andthe plastic part surrounds a central axis of the annular opticalcomponent so as to form a central opening. At least part of the metalpart includes at least part of an outer annular surface of the annularoptical component, and the outer annular surface and the inner annularsurface are opposite to each other. An object-side surface of theannular optical component faces an image-side direction of the annularoptical component and is connected to the outer annular surface and theinner annular surface. An image-side surface of the annular opticalcomponent faces an image-side direction of the annular optical componentand is connected to the outer annular surface and the inner annularsurface. The image-side surface and the object-side surface are oppositeto each other. When a thickness of the metal part on the outer annularsurface is d, and the maximum thickness of the annular optical componentis t, the following condition is satisfied:0.05<d/t<1.0.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a camera lensincludes the aforementioned annular optical component and an imaginglens assembly. The annular optical component is disposed on the imaginglens assembly.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a cameralens includes an imaging lens assembly and an annular optical component.The imaging lens assembly includes an object-side lens element and animage-side lens element. The annular optical component is disposedbetween the object-side lens element and the image-side lens element.The object-side lens element is disposed on an object-side direction ofthe annular optical component, and the image-side lens element isdisposed on an image-side direction of the annular optical component.The annular optical component includes a plastic element and a metalelement disposed on the plastic element. The plastic element includes aplastic part, and the metal element includes a metal part. The plasticpart includes at least part of an inner annular surface of the annularoptical component, and the plastic part surrounds a central axis of theannular optical component so as to form a central opening. An outerannular surface of the annular optical component and an inner annularsurface are opposite to each other. An object-side surface of theannular optical component faces an object-side direction of the annularoptical component and is connected to the outer annular surface and theinner annular surface. An image-side surface of the annular opticalcomponent faces an image-side direction of the annular optical componentand is connected to the outer annular surface and the inner annularsurface. The image-side surface and the object-side surface are oppositeto each other. The metal part of the metal element extends from theouter annular surface to at least one of the object-side surface and theimage-side surface, and the metal part on one of the object-side surfaceand the image-side surface is exposed.

According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, an annularoptical component includes a plastic element and a metal element. Themetal element is insert-molded with the plastic element. The plasticelement includes a plastic part, and the metal element includes at leastone folding structure. The plastic part includes at least part of aninner annular surface of the annular optical component, and the plasticpart surrounds a central axis of the annular optical component so as toform a central opening. An outer annular surface of the annular opticalcomponent and the inner annular surface are opposite to each other. Anobject-side surface of the annular optical component faces anobject-side direction of the annular optical component and is connectedto the outer annular surface and the inner annular surface. Animage-side surface of the annular optical component faces an image-sidedirection of the annular optical component and is connected to the outerannular surface and the inner annular surface, and the image-sidesurface and the object-side surface are opposite to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be better understood by reading the followingdetailed description of the embodiments, with reference made to theaccompanying drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an annular optical component accordingto the 1st embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the annular optical component inFIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the annular optical component inFIG. 2 along line X-X;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the annular optical component inFIG. 2 along line Y-Y;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the annular optical component in FIG. 4 ;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the annular optical componentaccording to the 2nd embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the annular optical component in FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the annular optical componentaccording to the 3rd embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the annular optical component in FIG. 8 ;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the annular optical componentaccording to the 4th embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the annular optical component in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the annular optical componentaccording to the 5th embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the annular optical component in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the annular optical componentaccording to the 6th embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the annular optical component in FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the annular optical componentaccording to the 7th embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the annular optical component in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a camera lens according to the 8thembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a camera lens according to the 9thembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an image capturing unit according tothe 10th embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an electronic device according to the11th embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is another perspective view of the electronic device in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a schematic view of another electronic device of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 24 is a schematic view of still another electronic device of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 25 is a schematic view of still yet another electronic device ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 26 is a schematic view of an annular optical component of thepresent disclosure which is made by insert-molding method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An annular optical component of the disclosure can be manufactured bythe insert-molding method. FIG. 26 is a schematic view of an annularoptical component of the present disclosure which is made byinsert-molding method. A metal frame M is placed in an injection mold,and a plurality of extension foots M1 of the metal frame M are fixed inchannels where plastic material is injected. Then, the plastic materialis injected into the injection mold from the channels to gradually coatthe metal frame M. After the plastic material was cooled down, theremaining plastic material in the channels and the extension foots M1are cut off, and then an annular optical component can be taken out fromthe injection mold. Cutting off the remaining plastic material and theextension foots M1 before taking the annular optical component from theinjection mold helps to enhance manufacturing efficiency. As shown inFIG. 26 , there are four extension foots M1 respectively located on thefour channels. However, the present disclosure is not limited to thequantities of the extension foots and the channels.

The annular optical component includes a plastic element and a metalelement which is disposed on the plastic element. The plastic elementincludes a plastic part, and the metal element includes a metal part.The plastic part includes at least part of an inner annular surface ofthe annular optical component, and the plastic part surrounds a centralaxis of the annular optical component so as to form a central opening.An outer annular surface of the annular optical component and the innerannular surface are opposite to each other. An object-side surface ofthe annular optical component faces an object-side direction of theannular optical component and is connected to the outer annular surfaceand the inner annular surface. An image-side surface of the annularoptical component faces an image-side direction of the annular opticalcomponent and is connected to the outer annular surface and the innerannular surface, and the image-side surface and the object-side surfaceare opposite to each other. Therefore, the annular optical component ofthe disclosure includes the plastic element, which is taken as the mainbody of the annular optical component, and the metal element, which isconfigured to increase structural strength of the annular opticalcomponent, and the plastic element has a low reflectivity for decreasingreflection of scattered light. When an external force is applied on theannular optical component, the metal element helps to prevent theannular optical component from being deformed and broken. In addition,coating the plastic element on the metal element helps to compensatesize tolerance of the metal element and thus to increase yield rate ofmanufacturing the annular optical component. As shown in FIG. 26 ,during the manufacturing process of the annular optical component, sincethe metal frame M is firmly fixed in the injection mold, the moldedplastic element has a better quality, and which allows the outer annularsurface of the annular optical component to have the metal part.

The plastic element can contain a chemical compound fiber. Therefore,during injecting process, the plastic material mixed with the chemicalcompound fiber has a better fluidity and thus helps to prevents poormolding quality.

The plastic part of the plastic element can include the entire innerannular surface of the annular optical component. In other words, theentire inner annular surface can be formed by the plastic part.Therefore, it is favorable for preventing scattered light form beingproduced due to the metal part having a high reflectivity.

The metal element can be disposed in the plastic element byinsert-molded method. Therefore, it helps to design the injection moldand allows the metal element to be easily fixed in the injection mold,thereby decreasing molding difficulty.

At least part of the metal part of the metal element can include atleast part of the outer annular surface of the annular opticalcomponent. When a thickness of the metal part of the metal element onthe outer annular surface (i.e., a thickness of the metal part exposedfrom the outer annular surface) is d, and the maximum thickness of theannular optical component is t, the following condition can besatisfied: 0.05<d/t<1.0. Therefore, the metal part which is thinnerhelps to increase the fluidity of the plastic material during themanufacturing process of the annular optical component, thereby helpingto avoid molding defects. Preferably, the following condition can alsobe satisfied: 0.05<d/t<0.6.

The metal element can include at least one folding structure. In otherwords, the metal element can be folded so as to form a circle-shapedstructure or a plurality of circle-shaped structures which surround(s)the central opening of the annular optical component. Therefore, it isable to increase the structural strength of the metal element to resistan external force which is applied in a direction parallel to thecentral axis of the annular optical component, such that the annularoptical component is not easily deformed by axial force. Preferably, thequantity of the folding structure may be equal to or larger than two,which helps to further increase the structural strength of the metalelement so as to provide a better support to the annular opticalcomponent.

When a distance between the folding structures in a directionperpendicular to the central axis of the annular optical component is s,and the thickness of the metal part of the metal element on the outerannular surface is d, the following condition can be satisfied:0.6<s/d<3.0. Therefore, a shorter distance between the foldingstructures helps to provide a better support to the annular opticalcomponent, and thus the annular optical component has a better abilityto against compression.

When the distance between the folding structures in the directionperpendicular to central axis of the annular optical component is s, andthe maximum thickness of the annular optical component is t, thefollowing condition can be satisfied: 0.05<s/t<1.0. Therefore, theshorter distance between the folding structures helps the metal elementto have a better ability to against external force. The metal part ofthe metal element can extend from the outer annular surface to at leastone of the object-side surface and the image-side surface, and the metalpart on one of the object-side surface and the image-side surface can beexposed. Therefore, the exposed metal part can be directly in contactwith other adjacent optical elements. Since the metal element undertakesmost of the compressive assembly force, the plastic element is preventedfrom being compressed by external force, such that the annular opticalcomponent has a better structural strength.

The metal part can extend from the outer annular surface only to one ofthe object-side surface and the image-side surface. Therefore, thestructure of the annular optical component can be simplified, such thatthe design of the injection mold is much easier so as to decrease thecomplexity of the injection molding.

The disclosure further provides a camera lens. The camera lens includesthe aforementioned annular optical component and an imaging lensassembly, and the annular optical component is disposed on the imaginglens assembly. Preferably, the camera lens can further include a barrelmember, a holding member or a combination of the barrel member and theholding member. When annular optical component is disposed on theimaging lens assembly, the object-side surface of the annular opticalcomponent faces an object side of the camera lens, and the image-sidesurface of the annular optical component faces an image side of thecamera lens.

The imaging lens assembly of the disclosure includes an object-side lenselement and an image-side lens element, and the annular opticalcomponent can be disposed between the object-side lens element and theimage-side lens element. In detail, the object-side lens element isdisposed on the object-side direction of the annular optical component,and the image-side lens element is disposed on the image-side directionof the annular optical component. Therefore, the distance between thetwo lens elements can be precisely maintained, and the annular opticalcomponent can undertake the compressive force generated during theassembly of the lens elements and does not break.

The camera lens of the disclosure further includes a light blocking filmwhich is disposed between the image-side lens element and the annularoptical component. The central opening of the annular optical componentcan be tapered from the image-side surface to the object-side surface.Therefore, the annular optical component cooperated with the lightblocking film can form a light trap so as to decrease the chance ofscattered light being reflected in the imaging lens assembly.

The annular optical component of the disclosure further includes anaxially assembled structure which is located on the object-side surfaceor the image-side surface, and the annular optical component is disposedon the imaging lens assembly via the axially assembled structure. Theaxially assembled structure is configured to align the center of theannular optical component with the center of a lens element of theimaging lens assembly which is adjacent to the annular opticalcomponent. Therefore, a coaxality of the imaging lens assembly and analignment accuracy between the annular optical component and theadjacent lens element can be increased so as to improve the resolutionof the imaging lens assembly.

According to the present disclosure, the material of the plastic elementcan be PE, PVC, PS, PP, ABS or other resin materials. The material ofthe metal element can be copper, aluminum, zinc, stainless steel oralloy of above metals. The hardness of the metal element is greater thanthe hardness of the plastic element. The hardness of the metal elementand the plastic element can be scratch hardness, indentation hardness orrebound hardness.

According to the present disclosure, the chemical compound fibercontained in the plastic element are, for example, polyamide fiber ofNTB series which is reinforced by potassium titanate. The NTB series isthe POTICON produced by Osaka Gas Chemical Corporation. The chemicalcompound fiber is not restricted in potassium titanate fiber. In someother embodiments, the chemical compound fiber may be a glass fiber.

According to the present disclosure, the metal element surrounds thecentral opening of the annular optical component, and the metal elementhas a uniform thickness.

According to the camera lens of the present disclosure, the lightblocking film can be configured as a stop, such as a glare stop or afield stop which is set for eliminating the stray light and therebyimproving the image quality thereof.

The aforementioned features of the present disclosure can be utilized innumerous combinations and are able to achieve corresponding effects.

According to the above descriptions of the present disclosure, thefollowing specific embodiments are provided for further explanation.

1st Embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 . FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anannular optical component according to the 1st embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the annular opticalcomponent in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the annularoptical component in FIG. 2 along line X-X. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectionalview of the annular optical component in FIG. 2 along line Y-Y. In thisembodiment, an annular optical component 1 includes a plastic element 11and a metal element 12. An object-side surface 13 of the annular opticalcomponent 1 faces an object-side direction of the annular opticalcomponent 1, and an image-side surface 14 of the annular opticalcomponent 1 faces an image-side direction of the annular opticalcomponent 1. The image-side surface 14 and the object-side surface 13are opposite to each other, and both of the image-side surface 14 andthe object-side surface 13 are connected to an inner annular surface 15and an outer annular surface 16 of the annular optical component 1 whichare opposite to each other.

The plastic element 11 includes a plastic part 111. The plastic part 111includes the entire inner annular surface 15. The plastic part 111surrounds a central axis A of the annular optical component 1 so as toform a central opening 112. The central opening 112 is tapered from theimage-side surface 14 to the object-side surface 13. In this embodiment,the plastic element 11 contains a chemical compound fiber.

The metal element 12 is insert-molded with the plastic element 11. Themetal element 12 surrounds the central opening 112 of the annularoptical component 1, and the metal element 12 has a uniform thickness.The metal element 12 includes a metal part 121, and at least part of themetal part 121 includes part of the outer annular surface 16. In detail,the metal part 121 extends from the outer annular surface 16 to theobject-side surface 13, and part of the metal part 121 on theobject-side surface 13 is exposed. In this embodiment, the metal element12 further includes two folding structures 122. The folding structures122 are circle-shaped structures which surround the central opening 112of the annular optical component 1.

Please refer FIG. 5 and the aforementioned figures. FIG. 5 is anenlarged view of the annular optical component in FIG. 4 . A thicknessof the metal part 121 of metal element 12 on the outer annular surface16 is d, the maximum thickness of the annular optical component 1 is t,and the following condition is satisfied: d/t=0.35.

A distance between the folding structures 122 of the metal element 12 ina direction perpendicular to the central axis A of the annular opticalcomponent 1 is s, a thickness of the metal part 121 of the metal element12 on the outer annular surface 16 is d, and the following condition issatisfied: s/d=1.05.

The distance between the folding structures 122 in the directionperpendicular to the central axis A of the annular optical component 1is s, the maximum thickness of the annular optical component 1 is t, andthe following condition is satisfied: s/t=0.37.

2nd Embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 . FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view ofthe annular optical component according to the 2nd embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the annular opticalcomponent in FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, an annular optical component 2includes a plastic element 21 and a metal element 22. An object-sidesurface 23 of the annular optical component 1 faces an object-sidedirection of the annular optical component 2, and an image-side surface24 of the annular optical component 1 faces an image-side direction ofthe annular optical component 2. The image-side surface 24 and theobject-side surface 23 are opposite to each other, and both of theimage-side surface 24 and the object-side surface 23 are connected to aninner annular surface 25 and an outer annular surface 26 of the annularoptical component 2 which are opposite to each other.

The plastic element 21 includes a plastic part 211. The plastic part 211includes the entire inner annular surface 25. The plastic part 211surrounds a central axis A of the annular optical component 2 so as toform a central opening 212. The central opening 212 is tapered from theimage-side surface 24 to the object-side surface 23. In this embodiment,the plastic element 21 contains a chemical compound fiber.

The metal element 22 is insert-molded with the plastic element 21. Themetal element 22 surrounds the central opening 212 of the annularoptical component 2, and the metal element 22 has a uniform thickness.The plastic element 21 entirely covers the metal element 22, such thatthere is no side of the metal element 22 is exposed. In this embodiment,the metal element 22 includes a folding structure 222. The foldingstructure 222 is a circle-shaped structure which surrounds the centralopening 212 of the annular optical component 2.

A length of the folding structure 222 in a direction perpendicular tothe central axis A of annular optical component 2 is s, the maximumthickness of the annular optical component 2 is t, and followingcondition is satisfied: s/t=0.147.

3rd Embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 . FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view ofthe annular optical component according to the 3rd embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the annular opticalcomponent in FIG. 8 . In this embodiment, an annular optical component 3includes a plastic element 31 and a metal element 32. An object-sidesurface 33 of the annular optical component 3 faces an object-sidedirection of the annular optical component 3, and an image-side surface34 of the annular optical component 3 faces an image-side direction ofthe annular optical component 3. The image-side surface 34 and theobject-side surface 33 are opposite to each other, and both of theimage-side surface 34 and the object-side surface 33 are connected to aninner annular surface 35 and an outer annular surface 36 of the annularoptical component 3 which are opposite to each other.

The plastic element 31 includes a plastic part 311. The plastic part 311includes the entire inner annular surface 35. The plastic part 311surrounds a central axis A of the annular optical component 3 so as toform a central opening 312. The central opening 312 is tapered from theimage-side surface 34 to the object-side surface 33.

The metal element 32 is insert-molded with the plastic element 31. Themetal element 32 surrounds the central opening 312 of the annularoptical component 3, and the metal element 32 has a uniform thickness.The metal element 32 includes a metal part 321, and at least part of themetal part 321 includes part of the outer annular surface 36. In detail,the metal part 321 extends from the outer annular surface 36 to theobject-side surface 33, and part of the metal part 321 on theobject-side surface 33 is exposed. In this embodiment, the metal element32 further includes two folding structures 322. The folding structures322 are circle-shaped structures which surround the central opening 312of the annular optical component 3.

A thickness of the metal part 321 of the metal element 32 on the outerannular surface 36 is d, the maximum thickness of the annular opticalcomponent 3 is t, and following condition is satisfied: d/t=0.25.

A distance between the folding structures 322 of the metal element 32 ina direction perpendicular to the central axis A of the annular opticalcomponent 3 is s, the thickness of the metal part 321 of the metalelement 32 on the outer annular surface 36 is d, and the followingcondition is satisfied: s/d=1.05.

The distance between the folding structures 322 in the directionperpendicular to the central axis A of the annular optical component 3is s, the maximum thickness of the annular optical component 3 is t, andthe following condition is satisfied: s/t=0.26.

4th Embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 . FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional viewof the annular optical component according to the 4th embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the annular opticalcomponent in FIG. 10 . In this embodiment, an annular optical component4 includes a plastic element 41 and a metal element 42. An object-sidesurface 43 of the annular optical component 4 faces an object-sidedirection of the annular optical component 4, and an image-side surface44 of the annular optical component 4 faces an image-side direction ofthe annular optical component 4. The image-side surface 44 and theobject-side surface 43 are opposite to each other, and both theimage-side surface 44 and the object-side surface 43 are connected to aninner annular surface 45 and an outer annular surface 46 of the annularoptical component 4 which are opposite to each other.

The plastic element 41 includes a plastic part 411. The plastic part 411includes the entire inner annular surface 45. The plastic part 411surrounds a central axis A of the annular optical component 4 so as toform a central opening 412. The central opening 412 is tapered from theimage-side surface 44 to the object-side surface 43.

The metal element 42 is insert-molded with the plastic element 41. Themetal element 42 surrounds central opening 412 of the annular opticalcomponent 4. The metal element 42 includes a metal part 421, and atleast part of the metal part 421 includes part of the outer annularsurface 46. In detail, the metal part 421 extends from the outer annularsurface 46 to the object-side surface 43, and the metal part 421 on theobject-side surface 43 are exposed. In this embodiment, the metalelement 42 further includes two folding structures 422. The foldingstructures 422 are circle-shaped structures which surround the centralopening 412 of the annular optical component 4.

A thickness of the metal part 421 of the metal element 42 on the outerannular surface 46 is d, the maximum thickness of the annular opticalcomponent 4 is t and the following condition is satisfied: d/t=0.35.

A distance between the folding structures 422 of the metal element 42 ina direction perpendicular to the central axis A of the annular opticalcomponent 4 is s, the thickness of the metal part 421 of the metalelement 42 on the outer annular surface 46 is d, and the followingcondition is satisfied: s/d=1.00.

The distance between the folding structures 422 on the directionperpendicular to the central axis A of the annular optical component 4is s, and the maximum thickness of the annular optical component 4 is t,and the following condition is satisfied: s/t=0.348.

5th Embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 . FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional viewof the annular optical component according to the 5th embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the annular opticalcomponent in FIG. 12 . In this embodiment, an annular optical component5 includes a plastic element 51 and a metal element 52. An object-sidesurface 53 of the annular optical component 5 faces an object-sidedirection of the annular optical component 5, and an image-side surface54 of the annular optical component 5 faces an image-side direction ofthe annular optical component 5. The image-side surface 54 and theobject-side surface 53 are opposite to each other, and both of theimage-side surface 54 and the object-side surface 53 are connected to aninner annular surface 55 and an outer annular surface 56 of the annularoptical component 5 which are opposite to each other.

The plastic element 51 includes a plastic part 511. The plastic part 511includes the entire inner annular surface 55. The plastic part 511surrounds a central axis A of the annular optical component 5 so as toform a central opening 512. The central opening 512 is tapered from theimage-side surface 54 to the object-side surface 53. In this embodiment,the plastic element 51 contains a chemical compound fiber.

The metal element 52 is insert-molded with the plastic element 51. Themetal element 52 surrounds the central opening 512 of the annularoptical component 5, and the metal element 52 has a uniform thickness.The metal element 52 includes a metal part 521, and at least part of themetal part 521 is exposed. In this embodiment, the metal element 52further includes two folding structures 522. The folding structures 522are circle-shaped structures which surround the central opening 512 ofthe annular optical component 5.

A thickness of the metal part 521 of the metal element 52 on the outerannular surface 56 is d, the maximum thickness of the annular opticalcomponent 5 is t, and the following condition is satisfied: d/t=0.125.

A distance between the folding structures 522 of the metal element 52 ina direction perpendicular to the central axis A of the annular opticalcomponent 5 is s, the thickness of the metal part 521 of the metalelement 52 on the outer annular surface 56 is d, and the followingcondition is satisfied: s/d=1.55.

The distance between the folding structures 522 in the directionperpendicular to the central axis A of the annular optical component 5is s, the maximum thickness of the annular optical component 5 is t, andthe following condition is satisfied: s/t=0.19.

6th Embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 . FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional viewof the annular optical component according to the 6th embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of the annular opticalcomponent in FIG. 14 . In this embodiment, an annular optical component6 includes a plastic element 61 and a metal element 62. An object-sidesurface 63 of the annular optical component 6 faces an object-sidedirection of the annular optical component 6, and an image-side surface64 of the annular optical component 6 faces an image-side direction ofthe annular optical component 6. The image-side surface 64 and theobject-side surface 63 are opposite to each other, and both of theimage-side surface 64 and the object-side surface 63 are connected to aninner annular surface 65 and an outer annular surface 66 of the annularoptical component 6 which are opposite to each other.

The plastic element 61 includes a plastic part 611. The plastic part 611includes the entire inner annular surface 65. The plastic part 611surrounds a central axis A of the annular optical component 6 so as toform a central opening 612. The central opening 612 is tapered from theimage-side surface 64 to the object-side surface 63. In this embodiment,the plastic element 61 contains a chemical compound fiber.

The metal element 62 is insert-molded with the plastic element 61. Themetal element 62 surrounds the central opening 612 of the annularoptical component 6, and the metal element 62 has a uniform thickness.The metal element 62 includes a metal part 621, and the metal part 621is exposed from the outer annular surface 66. In this embodiment, themetal element 62 further includes two folding structures 622. Thefolding structures 622 are circle-shaped structures which surround thecentral opening 612 of the annular optical component 6.

A thickness of the metal part 621 of the metal element 62 on the outerannular surface 66 is d, the maximum thickness of the annular opticalcomponent 6 is t, and the following condition is satisfied: d/t=0.126.

A distance between the folding structures 622 of the metal element 62 ina direction perpendicular to the central axis A of the annular opticalcomponent 6 is s, the thickness of the metal part 621 of the metalelement 62 on the outer annular surface 66 is d, and the followingcondition is satisfied: s/d=2.9.

The distance between the folding structures 622 in the directionperpendicular to the central axis A of the annular optical component 6is s, the maximum thickness of the annular optical component 6 is t, andfollowing condition is satisfied: s/t=0.36.

7th Embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 . FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional viewof the annular optical component according to the 7th embodiment of thepresent disclosure. FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the annular opticalcomponent in FIG. 16 . In this embodiment, an annular optical component7 includes a plastic element 71 and a metal element 72. An object-sidesurface 73 of the annular optical component 7 faces an object-sidedirection of the annular optical component 7, an image-side surface 74of the annular optical component 7 faces an image-side direction of theannular optical component 7. The image-side surface 74 and theobject-side surface 73 are opposite to each other, and both of theimage-side surface 74 and the object-side surface 73 are connected to aninner annular surface 75 and an outer annular surface 76 of the annularoptical component which are opposite to each other.

The plastic element 71 includes a plastic part 711. The plastic part 711includes the entire inner annular surface 75. The plastic part 711surrounds a central axis A of the annular optical component 7 so as toform a central opening 712. The central opening 712 is tapered from theimage-side surface 74 to the object-side surface 73. In this embodiment,the plastic element 71 contains a chemical compound fiber.

The metal element 72 is insert-molded with the plastic element 71. Themetal element 72 surrounds the central opening 712 of the annularoptical component 7, and the metal element 72 has a uniform thickness.The metal element 72 includes a metal part 721, and at least part of themetal part 721 includes part of the outer annular surface 76. In detail,the metal part 721 extends from the outer annular surface 76 to theobject-side surface 73, and the metal part 721 on the object-sidesurface 73 is exposed.

A thickness of the metal part 721 of the metal element 72 on the outerannular surface 76 is d, the maximum of the annular optical component 7is t, and the following condition is satisfied: d/t=0.125.

8th Embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 18 . FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a camera lensaccording to the 8th embodiment of the present disclosure. In thisembodiment, a camera lens 8 includes the annular optical component 1 ofthe first embodiment, an imaging lens assembly 81, a barrel 82, a lightblocking film 83 and an image sensor 84. The imaging lens assembly 81includes a plurality of lens elements which are arranged sequentially.

The annular optical component 1 and the lens elements are disposed inthe barrel 82. The object-side surface 13 of the annular opticalcomponent 1 faces an object side of the camera lens 8, and theimage-side surface 14 of the annular optical component 1 faces an objectside of the camera lens 8. The lens elements of the imaging lensassembly 81 includes an object-side lens element 811 a, which is closestto the object side, and an image-side lens element 811 b, which isclosest to the image side. The annular optical component 1 is disposedbetween the object-side lens element 811 a and the image-side lenselement 811 b. The light blocking film 83 is disposed between theimage-side lens element 811 b and the annular optical component 1.

9th Embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 19 . FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a camera lensaccording to the 9th embodiment of the present disclosure. In thisembodiment, a camera lens 9 includes the annular optical component 3 ofthe third embodiment, an imaging lens assembly 91, a barrel 92, a lightblocking film 93 and an image sensor 94. The imaging lens assembly 91includes a plurality of lens elements which are arranged sequentially.

The annular optical component 3 and the lens elements are disposed inthe barrel 92. The object-side surface 33 of the annular opticalcomponent 3 faces an object side of the camera lens 9, and theimage-side surface 34 of the annular optical component 3 faces an imageside of the camera lens 9. The lens elements of the imaging lensassembly 91 includes an object-side lens element 911 a, which areclosest to the object side, and an image-side lens element 911 b, whichis closest to the image side. The annular optical component 3 isdisposed between the object-side lens element 911 a and the image-sidelens element 911 b. The light blocking film 93 is disposed between theimage-side lens element 911 b and the annular optical component 3.

The annular optical component 3 is clamped by two lens elements whichare adjacent to each other. In detail, the annular optical component 3further includes an axially assembled structure 37 which is located onthe image-side surface 34. The annular optical component 3 is disposedon the imaging lens assembly 91 via the axially assembled structure 37.The axially assembled structure 37 is configured to align the center ofa middle lens element 911 c adjacent to the annular optical component 3with the center of the image-side lens element 911 b.

10th Embodiment

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an image capturing unit according tothe 10th embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, animage capturing unit 20 is a camera module including a camera lens 9discussed in the 9th embodiment, a driving device 201 and an imagestabilizer 202. The imaging light converges into the camera lens 9 ofthe image capturing unit 20 to generate an image with the driving device201 utilized for image focusing on an image sensor 94 of the camera lens9, and the generated image is then digitally transmitted to otherelectronic component for further processing.

The driving device 201 can have auto focusing functionality, anddifferent driving configurations can be obtained through the usages ofvoice coil motors (VCM), micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS),piezoelectric systems, or shape memory alloy materials. The drivingdevice 201 is favorable for obtaining a better imaging position of thecamera lens 9, so that a clear image of the imaged object can becaptured by the camera lens 9 with different object distances. The imagesensor 94 (for example, CCD or CMOS), which can feature with highphotosensitivity and low noise, is disposed on the image surface of theoptical imaging lens assembly to provide higher image quality.

The image stabilizer 202, such as an accelerometer, a gyroscope and aHall Effect sensor, is configured to work with the driving device 201 toprovide optical image stabilization (01S). The driving device 201working with the image stabilizer 202 is favorable for compensating forpan and tilt of the camera lens 9 to reduce blurring associated withmotion during exposure. In some cases, the compensation can be providedby electronic image stabilization (EIS) with image processing software,thereby improving the image quality while in motion or low-lightconditions.

11th Embodiment

Please refer to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 . FIG. 21 is a perspective view ofan electronic device according to the 11th embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 22 is another perspective view of the electronic devicein FIG. 21 . In this embodiment, an electronic device 30 is a smartphoneincluding the image capturing unit 20 disclosed in the 10th embodiment,a flash module 301, a focus assist module 302, an image signal processor303 and a user interface 304. The quantity of the image capturing unitis not restricted in one.

When a user captures images of an object, the light rays converge in theimage capturing unit 20 to generate an image, and the flash module 301is activated for light supplement. The focus assist module 302 detectsthe object distance of the imaged object to achieve fast auto focusing.The image signal processor 303 is configured to optimize the capturedimage to improve image quality. The light beam emitted from the focusassist module 302 can be either conventional infrared or laser. The userinterface 304 can be a touch screen or a physical button. The user isable to interact with the user interface 304 and an image softwareprocessor having multiple functions to capture images and complete imageprocessing. The image processed by the image software processor can bedisplayed on the user interface 304.

The electronic device 30 in this embodiment is only exemplary forshowing the image capturing unit 20 of the present disclosure installedin a smartphone, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Theimage capturing unit 20 can be optionally applied to a tablet computer(e.g., as shown in FIG. 23 ), a wearable device (e.g., as shown in FIG.24 ) and a vehicle backup cameras (e.g., as shown in FIG. 25 ).Furthermore, the annular optical component and the camera lens of thedisclosure can be applied to 3D (three-dimensional) image capturingapplications or in products such as digital cameras, mobile devices,digital tablets, smart televisions, network surveillance devices,dashboard cameras, vehicle backup cameras, multi-camera devices, imagerecognition systems, motion sensing input devices, wearable devices andother electronic imaging devices.

The foregoing description, for the purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. It is to be noted thatthe present disclosure shows different data of the differentembodiments; however, the data of the different embodiments are obtainedfrom experiments. The embodiments were chosen and described in order tobest explain the principles of the disclosure and its practicalapplications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to bestutilize the disclosure and various embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Theembodiments depicted above and the appended drawings are exemplary andare not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the presentdisclosure to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications andvariations are possible in view of the above teachings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera lens, comprising: an imaging lensassembly comprising an object-side lens element and an image-side lenselement; and an annular optical component disposed between theobject-side lens element and the image-side lens element, theobject-side lens element disposed on an object-side direction of theannular optical component, the image-side lens element disposed on anobject-side direction of the annular optical component, the annularoptical component comprising a plastic element and a metal elementdisposed on the plastic element, the plastic element comprising aplastic part, and the metal element comprising a metal part; wherein theplastic part comprises at least part of an inner annular surface of theannular optical component, the plastic part surrounds a central axis ofthe annular optical component so as to form a central opening, an outerannular surface of the annular optical component and the inner annularsurface are opposite to each other, an object-side surface of theannular optical component faces an object-side direction of the annularoptical component and is connected to the outer annular surface and theinner annular surface, an image-side surface of the annular opticalcomponent faces an image-side direction of the annular optical componentand is connected to the outer annular surface and the inner annularsurface, and the image-side surface and the object-side surface areopposite to each other; wherein the metal part of the metal elementextends from the outer annular surface to at least one of theobject-side surface and the image-side surface, and the metal part onone of the object-side surface and the image-side surface is exposed. 2.The camera lens of claim 1, wherein the metal element comprises at leastone folding structure.
 3. The camera lens of claim 1, wherein theannular optical component further comprises an axially assembledstructure which is located on the object-side surface or the image-sidesurface, the annular optical component is disposed on the imaging lensassembly via the axially assembled structure, and a center of theobject-side lens element or the image-side lens element of the imaginglens assembly which is adjacent to the annular optical component isaligned with a center of the annular optical component by the axiallyassembled structure.
 4. The camera lens of claim 1, wherein a thicknessof the metal part on the outer annular surface is d, the maximumthickness of the annular optical component is t, and the followingcondition is satisfied:0.05<d/t<1.0.
 5. The camera lens of claim 1, wherein the metal elementcomprises at least two folding structures.
 6. The camera lens of claim5, wherein a distance between the at least two folding structures in adirection perpendicular to the central axis of the annular opticalcomponent is s, the maximum thickness of the annular optical componentis t, and following condition is satisfied0.05<s/t<1.0.
 7. The camera lens of claim 1, further comprising a lightblocking film which is disposed between the image-side lens element andthe annular optical component.
 8. The camera lens of claim 7, whereinthe central opening of the annular optical component is tapered from theimage-side surface to the object-side surface.
 9. An annular opticalcomponent, comprising a plastic element and a metal element, the metalelement being insert-molded with the plastic element, the plasticelement comprising a plastic part, and the metal element comprising atleast one folding structure; wherein the plastic part comprises at leastpart of an inner annular surface of the annular optical component, theplastic part surrounds a central axis of the annular optical componentso as to form a central opening, an outer annular surface of the annularoptical component and the inner annular surface are opposite to eachother, an object-side surface of the annular optical component faces anobject-side direction of the annular optical component and is connectedto the outer annular surface and the inner annular surface, animage-side surface of the annular optical component faces an image-sidedirection of the annular optical component and is connected to the outerannular surface and the inner annular surface, and the image-sidesurface and the object-side surface are opposite to each other; whereina distance between the at least one folding structures in a directionperpendicular to the central axis of the annular optical component is s,the maximum thickness of the annular optical component is t, and thefollowing condition is satisfied:0.05<s/t<1.0.
 10. The annular optical component of claim 9, wherein theannular optical component further comprises an axially assembledstructure which is located on the object-side surface or the image-sidesurface, the annular optical component is disposed on the imaging lensassembly via the axially assembled structure, and a center of theobject-side lens element or the image-side lens element of the imaginglens assembly is aligned with a center of the annular optical componentby the axially assembled structure.
 11. The annular optical component ofclaim 9, wherein the quantity of the at least one folding structure isequal to or larger than two.
 12. The annular optical component of claim9, wherein the metal element further comprises a metal part, the metalpart extends from the outer annular surface to at least one of theobject-side surface and the image-side surface, and the metal part onone of the object-side surface and the image-side surface is exposed.